Horton to coach tight ends at Auburn

Posted: January 4, 2013 at 1:19 p.m.Updated: January 4, 2013 at 2:41 p.m.

Michael Woods
Tim Horton works with Arkansas' running backs during an April 2012 practice at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium.

FAYETTEVILLE  Tim Horton, who spent the last six seasons coaching running backs at Arkansas, was hired Friday to coach tight ends at Auburn.

Horton spent the last five seasons in a dual role as running backs coach and recruiting coordinator for the Razorbacks. He returned to his alma mater in 2007 as a position coach and worked under three difference head coaches - Houston Nutt, Bobby Petrino and John L. Smith.

“Tim is a true professional and an outstanding coach and recruiter who deserves a lot of credit for Arkansas’ success while he was there,” Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said in a release announcing the hiring. “Tim is a man of character who will be a great complement to our staff and a tremendous representative of the entire Auburn family.”

The 45-year-old is considered one of the top recruiters in the state of Arkansas and has been cited by several in-state commitments as a factor in choosing the Razorbacks. In 2011, ESPN.com rated Horton one of the top 25 recruiters in college football.

"It is an honor and privilege to work at Auburn University with Coach Malzahn and the tremendous group of people and coaches that he's assembled," Horton said in a release. "My family and I are thrilled to be joining the Auburn family."

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Tim Horton tweets following his decision to accept an assistant coaching position at Auburn. (By: Twitter)

Joel Thomas, who spent four seasons coaching running backs at Washington, was named Arkansas' new running backs coach last month. Razorbacks head coach Bret Bielema said in a Dec. 22 interview that Horton was a candidate at the time for an assistant coaching position on his staff.

Bielema, who was hired last month, has filled eight of the nine full-time assistant coaching jobs at Arkansas. The final hire is expected within the next week.

The new Arkansas head coach retained Taver Johnson and Bobby Allen from the Razorbacks' staff last season. Johnson, the former linebackers coach, will coach cornerbacks next season, while Allen, a 15-year defensive assistant, has been reassigned to director of high school relations for the program.

Last month, Horton was reported as a candidate for the head coaching vacancy at Appalachian State, where he spent nine seasons as an assistant coach to begin his career. The Conway native played receiver for the Razorbacks from 1986-89.